Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-09-23

Gle belongs TO curious set of New
York men, said the Judge. They are
creatures OF recent growth, and | doubt
very much if similar specimens of the
genus man can be found anywhere else in
the world. They are called Washers in
general way, but they are in no sense
like the gorgeous London man who has
given the word 'masher' its highest mean
ing The British 'masher' is Il creature
OF noble apparel, solemn and dissipated
air, advanced degrees in the courts of
bankruptcy and general imprcsslvcness.
lie wears great many suits of clothes
during the week, affects burlcsque
actress and drives daShlng traps.
The little circle of Washers in New
York has none of these procliNities. They
are men who have lived on the surface of
the town for many years, whose names
nrc familiar in all of the restaurants and
clubs, and who have gained in one way
or another regulations as slayers OF fcml-
nine hearts. which stand them in cnor-
nous value They are not in society,
sheer at the idea of toll, live in the best
possible manner, dress quietly. and are
absolutely mum about the numerous
affairs in which they pass their lives. ]
know a dozen men in this particular
crowd. but ] never knew one of them 10
break the rules of the peculiar free
masonry which apparently exists among
them 10 keep quiet about their escapades
This is the most curious feature of the
whole thing \ maShcr who does not
talk when success has crowned his efforts
would bc a rarity anywhere else except
in this extraordinary coteric. They are
queer lot, and can say that | consider
them a credit TO the city
1t affords droll study of human
nature 10 watch the operations of the
Washers. Most of their faces are Is
familiar TO mp town people rs the Fifth
Avenue hotel. Their mode OF life is sim
pie. Take, for instance, cold and austcre
man, with a blonde mustachc regular
profile. square shoulders and careless car
rage, who has been more or less famous
about town for fifteen years. lie has
scar running diaconally across his fore
head, and just above 10 is single lock or
''splashn Of hair that is as white rs
snow, though the rest If his hair Is dark.
] have heard il cuviably remarked 10y
other Washers that this gentleman's chief
success is due 10 the inmObility Of his
face, the ycllowneSs Of his mustache, the
Whiteness of the splash and the dark mass
of hair which throws il into such sharp
relief He is, in fact, known as Ills
Contrasts i'm some quarters. Fifteen
years ago Il woman followed him in cab
down Fifth avenue, slipped out as he
assembled the steps Of rivals
house, ran up the steps. and pushing n
revolver against his head. blazed away.
The bullet instead Of going through the
skull, ran across the forehead. She went
to Europe i'm the arms % her amiable
husband, and His Contrasts retired
into painful obScurity for time. Five
years after that he was mixed up in
row which is still talked about by old
timers. Ii was a three cornered fight
one woman and two men-in the cabin Of
a yacht in the lower bay. When they
dragged ellis Contrasts out he was
pretty well knocked 10 pieces Two ribs
were broken, and his general physical
welfare very sensbly impaired, but he
came up smiling, Us usual. l have known
him for many years. He has but one
object in life.
His manner Of living varies little from
day TO day. have had many opportuni-
ties for observing him, as VIC once had
neChbOring apartments i'm the same hotel,
and he used TO amuse himself when he
had an occasional half hour Of leisure
from his ardUOus duties by turning the
pictures in my room wrong side foremost,
bribing the chambermaid 10 sew the
hangings into all sorts Of Erotesque posi-
tions, littering my desk with violent tele-
grams and indulging in various other
cheerful and endearing pranks. At 10
O'Clock every morning the chambermaid